The Petrarch Monument

In 1928 a massive white marble monument, dedicated to Francesco Petrarca, sculptured by Alessandro Lazzerini of Carrara, was put in the centre of the park. As it was done during Fascism, we can find here many of the symbols of the political propaganda of the time.

The poet stands high on the left and a she-wolf lies at his feet: Roma's she-wolf feeding Romolo and Remo. To the right is a mother trying to keep her son away from the civil war and a man who is defending her and invoking peace.

At the bottom of the monument is a basin with running water: an evident reference to the poet's most famous line - "chiare, fresche dolci acque". 

At the back are some allegories:

• the coronation of the poet symbolizes the triumph of Fame
• an image of the Virgin Mary recalls the triumph of God
• a small Cupid and a medallion portraying Laura - the woman Petrarch loved - represent the triumph of Love and Chastity 
• other particulars hint at the triumph of Death.